Yatchting in Kircubbin (1963)

Onlookers and officials watch as a variety of yachts race through the waters of Strangford Lough, on the banks of Kircubbin.

Kircubbin in County Down has long been associated with yachting, with the nearby Strangford Lough a popular destination for leisure craft owners. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the village harbour, we here see a multitude of yachts sailing through the Lough. Note the race officials who govern the race through the raising of flags and the use of sound signals.

These rushes are amongst a wealth of footage that was generated by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. This government department had their own staff who documented the region through stills and moving images and the films they created capture various facets of life in Northern Ireland. The department was particularly busy in the mid-1950s to late 1960s, creating films that aimed to sell Northern Ireland as a holiday destination. This material captures Northern Ireland at an intriguing time, post-World War Two and pre-Troubles.